“Mum, I am very tired today….please do my home work for me if you really love me….” Throwing his bag to the corner of the study room Appu told to his mother. He went to bed directly and soon began to snore. The mother who had great affection to her only son did all his homework by carefully going through the all subjects. She also gave a sweet kiss on the forehead of sleeping son.

Next day evening also Appu came from school very tired. He was struggling even to raise his bag on stepping in to the house.

“Are you tired today also ?” Mother asked him

“ Yes , Mum. Today I am tired than yesterday’s “ Appu replied.

“ Hadn’t you taken your lunch completely ?”

“Yes , Mum. I ate it whole…”

“Didn’t you take tea from school ?”

“Yes , Mum. I zipped tea also  “

“Then why are you so tired ? You might have played beyond limit . Don’t I told you to limit your play ?“

“ Mum, I didn’t played at all today due to this tiredness. Look my dress . It hadn’t stained even a spot. It is as fresh as just released from factory !!” Saying this Appu went to bed.

“Oh..my God…!!!What happened to my son ? Today also he hadn’t ate anything” Appu’s mother began to weep.

Next day when Appu went to school his mother sunk into many thoughts , what is going to happen to her beloved son. She became anxious about Appu’s health condition. Soon then her next door neighbour Salma came in.

“What happened to you Sis ?” Seeing Appu’s mother in sad mood Salma asked.

“Oh…nothing. A  small headache. ” She told a lie.

“But you feel mood out…” Salma said curiously looking to her face.

“ Yes…my son Appu…” She began to weep.

“What happened to our Appu ?”

“Salma ,yesterday he came from school very tired. The day before yesterday also he came very tired. So today I fear he may not come at all…”

“Oh…That is the problem….Don’t worry…I will tell you something” Said Salma.

“Do you know the reason why Appu behaves so ? He throws away his bag and water bottle to a corner and directly goes to bed even without drinking a drop of water…”

“Right ,right…So you listen to me carefully. Childhood days are the energetic days. Children will be hurry in running from place to place in these days  till the last drop of their energy is drawn out. At last they become like a discharged battery – tired and weak. Then you must give them attention …” Salma paused.

“What is to be cared at that stage?”

“If they say unusually I am tired , I can’t do anything Mum, care should be taken. Unusual tiredness is a symptom of some illness…”

“OK, yesterday I think he was so. Unusually he went to bed and began to sleep ”

“Yes…but before you administering some boosting drinks or food , diagnose the real reason of his fatigue. When a child suddenly becomes inactive care him well…”

“Tell me Salma , what to care ?”

“ He might have sleeplessness or tension or lack of nutrients or tonsillitis or infection in throat , ear or lungs.”

“Will drowsiness come due to any other reason ?”

“Yes…If your child is diabetic he will get tired…”

“Diabetic ? At this young age ?”

“Ha ha haa…. Diabetics had no age preference…”

“ What will be symptoms then ?”

“Frequent urination , high thirst and weight loss are the common notable symptoms of diabetics.”

“Oh…I hadn’t cared these matters..”

“We , mothers should care the daily activities of our children. It should also be written in a diary if possible. You must note how frequent your child shows the tiredness and what are the symptoms he shows. You may also note down his feeding habits like the favourite food , non  favourite food etc. Usual bedtime and hours of sleep etc may also be noted in this diary”

“Oh…All these details will be a great help for further reference..”

“Yes.. Also tell them to tell all problems frankly either to father or mother..”

“Yes.. yes…It is very important….You know…” Appu’s mother suddenly swallowed her words.

“Tell , why did you brake your words?”

“How can I tell it?. I..” She began to look shy.

“Oh…you wish to tell about menses. Right ?”

“Yes…you are correct.”

“We won’t feel shy to ask about it. It is a natural phenomenon in matured girls. Also you must inform your children about the procedures to be followed during her menses period…Don’t feel shy to tell her. If not it may lead to more shameful conditions.”

“Oh…it is not easy to convey..”

“But you should. I will give you some more tips to keep your child healthy always.”

“Yes…I need it. Please let me to know”

“OK. Listen well. Child’s sleep should be always comfortable. He must sleep at least for eight hours in a day. Keep correct time to go to bed and to rise. Remember ‘ early to bed, early to rise”

“OK”

“Child’s diet should be balanced and nutrient full. Make him to eat leafy vegetables, common vegetables and fruits as much as possible…”

“Right”

“Avoid soft drinks. Give him boiled water only in plenty.”

“Nice”

“Control the time that he spends in front of television and computer.”

“Yes…It is very important”

“Advise him to have good exercises. Outdoor games, cycling , swimming etc gives him adequate exercise.”

“OK”

“be care ,if he feels tiredness continuously in spite of all these methods. In that cases he must be consulted with a doctor immediately. For psychological problems even counseling may be required.”

“Right..”

“Ok Sis, it is too late now. I had came just for a friendly talk..”

“Yes Salma. But you gave me a lot of information. Thanks a lot. Here comes Appu. Thanks again”

“OK. Welcome Sis. See you. Bye, bye”

“Bye, bye”

- Abid Areacode